Banana by-products in Thailand - Exploring its feasibility as bioplastics feedstock for food packaging

Abstract: This study aims to determine the operational feasibility of utilizing banana cultivation by-products as an alternative raw material in bioplastic production, replacing bio-based feedstock that is otherwise used as food in Thailand. By following the exploratory qualitative research approach, a combination of secondary sources of information together with interviews with the identified stakeholders involved in banana cultivation and bioplastic value chains were used in data collection process. The obtained data was reviewed and used for constructing a value chain map and analyzing for the success and barriers factors, using DEFT as a tool. It was found that the current bioplastic supply in quantity, mainly the PLA and PBS derived from lactic acid production from sugarcane and cassava, would be unable to sufficiently serve the demand of the market. A large volume of banana by-products is discarded to landfill without further uses post-cultivation. Furthermore, as banana production in agricultural sector is expected to rise continuously, this could lead to more waste generation. Other studies have revealed potential of utilizing cellulose extracted from agricultural wastes as a raw material for fermentation process for bioplastic production. This also reveals that banana by-products could be an alternative bio-based feedstock for bioplastic production. Even though there are approaches and supports from the government and other stakeholders in promoting the utilization of bioplastic materials, but limitation regarding the properties, applications, cost effectiveness, and legislation support can cause banana by-products to be less attractive than the existing ones. The approach of utilizing banana by-products for this purpose is, hence, not yet existing in Thailand. However, this could be possible, but not in the immediate future.